A Stevenage bar must tear down a large outdoor structure made out of scaffolding and plastic sheeting branded a "dystopian nightmare".

Tranquil Turtle in Symonds Green did not get planning permission before it built the structure, which covers an outdoor seating area.

The bar, restaurant and shisha lounge opened at the former Crooked Billet pub in December 2021, with the land owned by Suffolk brewer Greene King.

The planning committee at Stevenage Borough Council met on Wednesday, Febraury 15, where councillors heard the structure is not linked with any construction works, and that it is "harmful to the character" of Symonds Green.

Speaking as a community advocate, Councillor Jackie Hollywell (Lab, Symonds Green) said neighbours of the venue support a pub presence in the area.

But she said the outdoor structure and the noise which revellers make in it are causing "distress".

Cllr Hollywell said: "When the business changed hands [in 2021], people welcomed it.

"It's not the case that people were against the pub or the business.

advertisement

"But when the Tranquil Turtle took on the venue, it became quite clear quite quickly that the nature of the business had changed."

Cllr Hollywell pointed to planning rules which set out new structures should preserve or enhance conservation areas.

She said Tranquil Turtle's scaffolding "does anything but that".

Cllr Hollywell added: "The longer this structure is up, the longer this causes distress and upset to the residents."

Cllr Sandra Barr (Lab, St Nicholas), who sits on the planning committee, said it is "beggar belief" Tranquil Turtle built "this dystopian nightmare" without seeking permission.

Cllr Adam Mitchell (Con, Longmeadow), also on the committee, said enforcement action should be taken within a three-month window.

He said leaving it any longer could in effect permit the bar to run outdoor events in the structure through the spring and summer months, causing distress to residents.

Neither Tranquil Turtle nor Greene King made representations at the meeting.

advertisement

Stevenage Borough Council's staff served the site owner with a Planning Contravention Notice in October 2022.

They told the planning committee Tranquil Turtle had promised to take the structure down on or before Wednesday, February 22.

Councillors agreed if the structure isn't taken down on or before that date, they have three months to remove it entirely before the local authority takes action.

Tranquil Turtle has lodged a licensing application with Stevenage Borough Council, which is being considered as a separate matter.

If it is approved, the venue team will be able to run a supervised outdoor bar between the hours of 11am and 1030pm.